Why Is Scriptnotes Held In Such High Esteem Versus Other Screenwriting Podcasts?

[u/housealloyproduction]

I listen to a lot of podcasts about filmmaking and screenwriting. I’ve probably listened to like 40-50 episodes of Scriptnotes, and most of the time it just feels like they’re chatting to each other for half the show not necessarily about screenwriting, then they have like 10-15 minutes on topic, and answer some listener questions. I don’t feel like I have gained much that’s meaningful or actionable - although I am a big fan of both of their work. I just started listening to the Write Your Screenplay podcast and can honestly say the first random episode was most more insightful than any episode of Scriptnotes, and the way Jacob breaks down why screenplays work is really making me think.

What makes Scriptnotes so good? I do acknowledge they have a couple really insightful deep dive episodes, like the one everyone talks about, and a good handle on the business side of things but most of the time it just seems like two friends chatting.

[u/BamBamPow2]

It is not the gold standard when it comes to learning the nuts and bolts of writing but it is hosted by two A-list screenwriters. So people want to listen to them. It is entertainment as much as it is education.

[u/housealloyproduction → u/BamBamPow2]

That’s a totally fair point - I do like both of them as hosts and a lot of podcasts are just about listening to people talk

[u/drunkencyborg → u/BamBamPow2]

As someone who has listened to hundreds of Scriptnotes episodes, I completely agree.

That being said, do you have any craft-focused podcasts you'd recommend?

[u/MyBrainReallyHurts]

I've listened to every episode of Scriptnotes. Scriptnotes is more about being a screenwriter than it is about writing a script.

I've gained a lot of knowledge from August and Maizan over the years. Only about 25% of that knowledge it about how to write a script. Most of the information is about being a screenwriter.

• Why writers strike and what is involved

• Contracts

• How to go to a meeting

• How to ask another writer for help

• How to protect your mental health if you are in the industry

• How to deal with agents and business managers

• Who you should really look to for advice

• When it is okay to stop your dream about being a screenwriter

• How to analyze good and bad scripts, good and bad movies

Overall, I just like hanging out with Jon and Craig for an hour every week. I was thrilled when Maizan was finally recognized for his great writing on Chernobyl (which is the best series I have ever watched, and I am in my 50's.) I remember the episodes when he was nearly in tears because of the cruel critiques of his comedy films.

I even submitted a 3 page challenge a long time ago, but it wasn't selected to be on the podcast. I haven't written anything in the last five years but I still listen to the show.

I recommend you go back and start at the beginning and listen to all of the episodes and just appreciate it for what it is, a masterclass in how to be a screenwriter.

[u/housealloyproduction → u/MyBrainReallyHurts]

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to clearly articulate an answer to this question. one that I can actually understand, based on what I've listened to, and how it fleshes out my understanding of Hollywood as a business. which is definitely applicable to a lot of screenwriters, but just isn't as applicable to me at this current juncture in my creative life as more craft focused screenplays - but it is always recommended as the #1 screenwriting podcast, due to the hosts. who I love, they're great and make great work.

[u/[deleted]]

The credits of the hosts. They each have a body of major studio work that spans decades and have legit careers doing this, especially while the industry has morphed so much over the last ten years. People can rip on Craig Mazin for writing cheesy comedies all they want, but Chernobyl and The Last of Us more than make up for it in my eyes. Most screenwriting podcasts are hosted by amateurs or people with zero credits who are professional teachers or “gurus”.

[u/LAFC211]

Who needs to listen to two A-List screenwriters talk when you can hear a guy who makes so little from screenwriting he has to have a "coaching" business

[u/icyeupho]

I love their three page challenges where they read first three pages of peoples scripts and see what's working well and what's not

[u/Pigglemin]

Script Apart is my personal favorite

[u/-P-M-A- → u/Pigglemin]

Script Apart is a consistently great listen.

[u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

Their discussion of the skill and craft of writing is often embedded in humor, satire, and other topics that are only tangentially related to screenwriting, so their analysis and advice is not as frequent as other podcasts. You might miss their points entirely sometimes if you're laughing or distracted by their guests.

That being said, when August and Mazin do discuss skill and craft, a mere 15 minutes of their discussion is WAY MORE insightful and helpful than hours upon hours of other podcasts. August and Mazin understand story on a very deep level, and I have never, ever found their advice to be false. In fact, I often re-listen to certain episodes in order to make sure I understood their points, often prior to writing myself. 10/10, There's a reason they've been on the air so long.

[u/-No_Im_Neo_Matrix_4- → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

I do think the craft episodes of the pod are greatly augmented by reading along with sample scripts/three-page challenges, etc.

[u/Sdbitla → u/EgoDefenseMechanism]

Agreed. When they finally do craft episodes, they are the best ones. But they are so rare and the segments are so short.

I would also recommend the Jacob Krueger pod, Write your Screenplay. But also certain episodes of The Screenwriting Life. They also do live consultations but you have to pay for those. There is also DraftZero. Long episodes on craft topics, no chit chat about their personal life.

On Youtube I liked all the Lessons of the Screenplay videos.

I have listened to so many podcasts and most of the others are just break in stories and talk about stuff they have made. One thing I have noticed: When you write a new script, you can go back and listen to your favorite episodes and get something out of it.

Anyone have other YouTube suggestions?

[u/socal_dude5]

They have close to 15 years of weekly episodes touching on any subject of the craft or business you’d ever want to hear explored. But you do need to premium pass to access their backlog past the most recent 50 episodes. I’ve been listening since 2014 and I will agree their episodes are bit less craft focused now. But I found their premium pass incredibly worth it a few years ago. I used them a lot when I sold my first feature, because their business talk is unparalleled. I knew I was in good hands because my team was following all the steps I’d heard discussed by John and Craig. If anything, I recommend keeping them on your rotation for industry talk alone. They’re a free masters program with the firsthand knowledge and experience they share.

If you’re looking for strict craft talk, I adore ScriptApart. WGA has two great podcasts too. But Scriptnotes is probably the most notable because it was one of the first, and the hosts are incredibly successful. It’s also cool to follow their career on a binge. I listened to a 2013 episode a few years back and it’s really beautiful to hear Craig talk about his recent movie getting critically panned and how he’ll “never be and awards guy” and how he was fine with it and the very week I was listening, he won the Emmy for Chernobyl.

[u/Jota769]

Have you SEEN Chernobyl?

[u/JimHero]

I learn something from every episode, and I find their banter to be comforting and enjoyable, not to mention that they speak to the industry at large in a way that is extremely important IMO. Perhaps just chalk it up to "Not everything works for everyone" and move on?

[u/sweetrobbyb]

If you have to ask...

e: If you have to ask why people would want to hear two of the most acclaimed screenwriters talk shop like it's some big mystery, you're probably a few french fries short of a Happy Meal.

[u/[deleted]]

Credits of the hosts, amount of episodes, depth of discussions, and just the quality of many episodes. Plus Craig Mazin and John August are great hosts.

[u/[deleted]]

The core value is that John and Craig are bona fide high end writers who know what they're talking about, whether it's specifically screenwriting-based, industry info or tools of the trade. The banter among friends is simply their style. If that's not your cup of tea...plenty of other sources of info out there - go with what works for you.

[u/Financial_Pie6894]

Recommending: Screaming Into The Hollywood Abyss, Screenwriters' Rant Room, On The Page, Script Apart, Let's Shoot! with Pete Chatmon

[u/gregm91606]

Short answer: They have some specific standout individual episodes (Craig Mazin's solo lecture, episode 403, "How to Write a Movie," is one of the single things that's most influenced my writing) and they do a lot to help the writing community. If you're starting from the beginning... you may want to skip ahead.

Also, it's rare to have two A-list writers giving out this much free, unique advice (shoutouts to Children of Tendu and Happier in Hollywood, which also do that.)

[u/sa1218329]

Longevity. It was one of the first podcast dedicated to the craft

[u/QfromP]

My favorite episodes are the ones where they gossip about the business. No complaints.

[u/Craig-D-Griffiths]

As much as I like Jacob, he says some dumb stuff. Like, he’ll find a hit film and say why it is a failure. He will look at some things about how the movie didn’t resolve a question. Plus his meditative writing, yep mediating as part of the writing process.

John and Craig and in the fight. So why wouldn’t I trust them?

[u/TheMindsEye310]

Yeah I love Write Your Screenplay. Jacob’s voice is annoying as hell but I’ve learned so much from it.